~ New Zealand, Press releases
29 Sep 2008 ~

Puketiro wind farm proposal changed

Press Release: Greater Wellington Regional Council Puketiro wind farm proposal changed Greater Wellington Regional Council announced today that it has decided to revoke the permission granted to wind farm developer RES New Zealand Ltd to locate three turbines in the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park. The three turbines were part of a proposed Puketiro wind farm – a development of about 50 turbines located in the Greater Wellington-owned Akatarawa Forest and possibly on adjoining private land. The Pauatahanui Futures Society . . . Complete story »

Govt call-in stalls wind farm consent

Mighty River Power's application to build a 131-turbine wind farm in the Turitea Reserve is in limbo, until Environment Minister Trevor Mallard makes up his mind. The Palmerston North City Council received the resource consent application in August, and had expected to publicly notify it in early October. But the council was now waiting to hear the outcome of a ministerial call-in application, Mayor Jono Naylor said. "The council's role will be different if the minister does call it . . . Complete story »

~ New Zealand
26 Sep 2008 ~

Mayor silences consent debate

A ''dangerous'' discussion that verged on perverting the course of justice was silenced by mayor Maureen Reynolds at a Tararua District council meeting yesterday. In a highly unusual move, Mrs Reynolds let two Waitahora wind farm opponents sitting at the back of the meeting ask questions during council discussion. But when the talk threatened to infringe on the future impartiality of councillors, she was forced to clamp down on the session. The impromptu debate started when council moved to discuss . . . Complete story »

Kaiwera wind farm bid heading for court

Trustpower's bid to develop a multi million-dollar wind farm, at Kaiwera Downs near Mataura, appears destined for the Environment Court. Gore district planning consultant Keith Hovell said a pre-hearing, in Dunedin on Thursday, saw the Uplands Landscape Protection Society win the right to continue with its appeal, as it was lodged, against resource consents for the wind farm. The hearing would not be held until April 2009, at the earliest, he said. However, TrustPower and the Gore District Council have . . . Complete story »

TrustPower delays strike-out attempt

TrustPower yesterday "put on hold" its earlier application to strike out part of an appeal by the Upland Landscape Protection Society against a proposed $400 million wind farm at Kaiwera Downs, near Gore. During a preliminary hearing in the Environment Court at Dunedin, TrustPower initially sought to strike out part of a wide-ranging appeal by the society against a consent granted to the energy firm's wind farm in June. The Gore District Council and Southland Regional Council are respondents . . . Complete story »